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PICTURED ROCKS NATIONAL LAKESHORE -- Although rarely used for navigational purposes today, lighthouses are still a favorite of many.  Hundreds came out to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Saturday for Au Sable Day at the Au Sable Light Station.

Park rangers say the lighthouse continues to be one of the most popular spots in the park but also the most financially challenging.

The view from the top of the 1874 Au Sable Light Station hasn't changed in more than 100 years, but it's still something people can't seem to get enough of.  Saturday's tours filled up quickly, but the simplicity of the historic structure is misleading.  Thousands of dollars have already been spent to keep it open to the public, and even more funding is needed.

"Old buildings, when they're not used in the wintertime in peculiar, there's problems with moisture buildup and so on," said Education Park Ranger David Kronk.

One solution they've come up with is to expand the currently existing solar panels that completely fuel the building next to the tower, which still houses light tower volunteers in an apartment atop the museum.  

"We've got seventy-two 75 watt panels that are located a little less than a quarter mile away from the site that is collecting the solar energy, and we're having it wired into the building," Kronk said.

They'd like to use that energy to supply basic heating to the tower in the winter months, but that currently isn't possible due to congressional budget cuts for national parks.  Park employees say that may force them to cut down the amount of time they can offer tours to the public.  However, some of Saturday's visitors say they understand the budget cuts.

"Our state is in such a bad shape that I can see a few of these things happening," says visitor Cathy Dayli.  "I don't know what we're going to do about it because everything in the state is kind of in a bad shape.  Maybe we should let them deteriorate."

For now the park continues to offer tours of the light tower almost daily.  They say they aren't quite sure when and if they'll have to minimize those tours.